Learning how to mod

[JUNKdeLUXE]

I've done a couple successful STEP or SR:LE installs with further addons afterwards, but I still feel that I really haven't learned anything. I'm following guides to the letter, but I have no idea why I'm doing it or what effect the changes I'm doing have.

 

I'd love to REALLY learn.. but where do I start?

 

on the other hand I REEEALLY don't want to play with my stable install as it takes me a week or more to get up and running. Is it possible to have a "test setup" where you can play as much as you want?!?

 

Guides, in-depth discussions etc.. feel free to point (or kick) me in the right direction :)

[TechAngel85]

Download the CK and play around. There are a ton of good videos on YouTube. Also, jump into xEdit and start learning to use it efficiently. Those are the two biggest tools used for modding. Nifskope is also handy to learn when dealing with meshes and texture placement on the meshes.

 

Here's a good starting point for the CK: https://youtu.be/gDKivlGmia4

 

Here's another one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/user/DARKF0X127/playlists

 

Here's our (unfinished) xEdit Guide: https://wiki.step-project.com/Guide:XEdit

[GrantSP]

The biggest advice I can give you is: "don't be afraid to stuff up!"

 

Pick one small mod that intrigues you and ask yourself: "how does this do what it does?" and then open it with whatever tool you feel comfortable, either the CK or xEdit (i suggest xEdit at first), and examine the changes that mod makes to the records in the vanilla game. Make some changes of your own if you wish and see how they apply. Backups are always made with xEdit so you can just revert your edits.

 

As to a sandpit where you can play. Just make a new profile in MO based on either the vanilla game (preferable as the changes will be easy to see) or the modded setup you are currently on.

Make sure all saves are profile specific and go for it. Anything you do won't affect the stable profile and you can be free to break anything.

[JUNKdeLUXE]

Thanks for giving me some guidelines :)

 

I have a question regarding MO and "sandboxing" though. I was under the influence that even if I made a new "sandbox" profile, that if I did any xEdit changes to mods also installed in other profiles that those changes would be for every profile? or does MO virtualize that as well?

[Astakos]

No, if you change a plugin or delete a mod these changes will reflect upon all the profiles.

 

You can however install the plugin that you are abt to edit as a different mod and keep the original intact.

[TechAngel85]

Or...simply install a second instance of MO for your testing and copy your profiles over from your "good install" into the new MO you'll be using for testing. I do this for when I'm modding in the CK so a can do what I want without messing with the profile I use for actual play.

[MonoAccipiter]

I just download the mod I want to edit over again and install it in a separate folder called *mod name* TEST or something of the like, and then tick it in my project profile.

[darkside]

Do you have any recommendation on good GECK tutorial?

[MonoAccipiter]

Do you have any recommendation on good GECK tutorial?

Bethesda's own GECK page is actually pretty good, and it even has a tutorial series.